Eugene Joseph West

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Eugene “Gene” Joseph West was born in Pittman, New Jersey on October 4, 1930 to Theodore and Louise West. He died surrounded by his family and their prayers on March 26, 2023, and was strengthened with God’s grace from the sacraments of the Holy Catholic Church to join his Lord Jesus Christ.

Gene came to California in 1948 and attended Santa Maria High School. After graduating, he joined the National Guard in 1950 and served in Japan during the Korean Conflict. He married his wife Patricia Flynn in 1953 in Goleta and graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 1957 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. While at school he and Patricia had two children, and later had four more children.

Gene’s first job out of college was with Aerojet General Corp in Sacramento, working on Large Liquid Rocket engines. One of his projects was working on heat shields for the first lunar landing module. He worked for Aerojet for 14 years. After that, he worked for the Department of the Navy at Port Hueneme at the Naval Ships Missile Systems. He retired from there in 1994.

Eugene, who became known as Toymaker Gene, started a second “career” (full-time hobby) making mechanical wooden toys. He and Patricia demonstrated his toys for many years in schools, libraries, senior centers, and nursing homes throughout Ventura County. They also showed their toys at the Ventura County Fair, Olivas Adobe, The State Coach Inn and Museum, Moorpark College and the Gull Wings Children’s Museum in Oxnard. Eugene and Patricia enjoyed seeing people of all ages play with their toys for over 25 years. His children hope to continue to bring the toys to the Ventura County Fair for years to come.

Eugene was a member of the Channel Islands Woodcarvers and Conejo Valley Woodworkers association. Throughout the years, Eugene was an active volunteer with The ARC of Ventura County, assisting in the construction and renovation of many of their facilities and as a member of the Board of Directors. He was also a regular volunteer with the Braille Institute, teaching woodworking classes to sight impaired individuals. Eugene was a do-er, showing his love and friendship towards people with acts of service.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Patricia Louise Flynn West, and his sons Thomas and Patrick, and daughter-in-law, Linda. He is survived by his children Kathleen West of Santa Paula, Mary Bagdazian (Rob) of Santa Paula, Jeanne Padre (Danilo) of Camarillo, Greg West (Lawanda) of Ventura, , daughter-in-law Denise Van Arsdale-West of Valencia, brother Bruce West (Pat) of Huntington Beach, and sister-in-law Delores Swank of Pinole, CA. He is also survived by several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The viewing and rosary will be on Saturday, April 8, 10 a.m. to 12 noon at Reardon Funeral Home, 511 North A Street, Oxnard. The Funeral Mass will be on Monday, April 10, 10 a.m. at Santa Clara Chapel, 1333 E. Ventura Blvd, Oxnard. Internment will be at Santa Clara Cemetery following the mass. Please remember to pray for the repose of his soul.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Eugene and Patricia’s memory to The ARC of Ventura County, 5103 Walker Street, Ventura, CA, 93003

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